Emma Stone in Talks to Play Cruella de Vil in Disney’s Live-Action ‘Cruella’ Movie

Disney began developing a Cruella de Vil movie a few years ago, but with the success of the similarly villain-oriented Maleficent and their live-action Cinderellaredo, the Cruella project has been put on the fast-track with Fifty Shades of Grey scribe Kelly Marcel penning the screenplay. Although the project does not yet have a director, it may be close to signing a star, as Emma Stone is in talks to portray the iconic 101 Dalmatians villain and demented fur connoisseur.

The Wrap reports that Stone is in talks to play Cruella de Vil in Disney’s live-action film based on the deranged, chain-smoking, fur-loving baddie from the animated classic 101 Dalmatians. Glenn Close previously portrayed a live-action Cruella in both 1996's 101 Dalmatians and its sequel, 102 Dalmatians.

Disney and Angelina Jolie did a fair job of making the iconic Sleeping Beauty villain an empathetic character in Maleficent, but they may have a tougher job with Cruella, who was motivated by the sinister desire to kill dozens of puppies and turn them into fur coats. Maleficent wanted to kill the princess in Sleeping Beauty, sure, but audiences have a harder time when it comes to animal violence — or the threat of animal violence.